Complex process modeling and simulation system and method

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for creating a complex process model for use in a graphical environment, with the process utilizing defined entities including places, transitions, and the arcs. Places represent data types, transitions represent actions, and arcs represent the connection of places and transitions. The places, transitions, and arcs may be interchanged by the user without the need to recreate the entire model. The invention also includes a method and apparatus of simulating a complex process, by identifying the attributes and values of the places and transitions, identifying the parameters of the connecting arcs, and manipulating the places, transitions, and arcs to constitute a process in action.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 10/733,367 filedDec. 12, 2003, which is herein incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX

The computer program listing as referred to in Appendix A is the same asthe computer program listing in U.S. Pat. No. ______ (U.S. Ser. No.10/733,367 filed Dec. 12, 2003, attorney docket 18697.001), which isherein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of complex process design andsimulation. In particular, this invention relates to a system and methodfor graphically representing a model architecture in a way that allowsit to be directly executed within a design tool. This methodology allowsfor a more accurate and robust estimate of a system's dynamic propertiesand subsequently assists in evaluating new systems and introducing theminto the marketplace with decreased initial investment, time and risk.This invention also relates to the simulation of the graphically modeledsystem in a new and robust manner.

The present invention can be applied to communications networks,business workflows, military tactics, and distributed processing, amongother systems. The present invention reduces the time and expenseinvolved in traditional methods of system design selection andevaluation, and allows for dynamic “on the fly” changes that permitreal-time simulation and evaluation.

DESCRIPTION AND HISTORY OF PRIOR ART

Before to the present invention, analysts attempted to predict theperformance and characteristics of prototypes using techniques inventedby mathematicians and inherited by computer software engineers. As such,modeling and simulation was viewed as an arcane art practiced only by afew specialists who generally had little detailed knowledge about thesubject matter of the system. This led to many errors in understandingand subsequently models that often did not represent the detailedworking of the prototype. This was, of course, a predictable result thatarose from the dichotomy between the perspectives of the user group,which was application oriented, and the evaluation group, whichdescribed a concrete system as a set of abstract mathematicalrepresentations. Software tools were developed in the early 1980s toassist subject matter experts to represent conceptual systems digitally,and, by the end of the decade, Computer Aided Design (CAD) became anestablished technique. Likewise, simulation software became easier todevelop—in part due to the introduction of more powerful,fourth-generation computer languages and improved computer interfaces.Still, the bridge between prototype design and prototype evaluation wasnot formed, and the two disciplines remained distinct and separate.

During the 1990s, software tools were developed to further assistanalysts in representing and understanding the behavior of complexsystems. These tools were generally referred to as CASE (Computer AidedSoftware Engineering) tools, and, on the whole, their impact in terms ofcreating more robust simulation software was significant. In parallel,much work was performed in the area of system representation—an attemptto form a compact “language” that could be used to describe complexsystems that was, at the same time, machine interpretable. Suchlanguages attempted to avoid the inherent ambiguity associated withnatural language by using a specialized lexicon with non-ambiguousmeaning and semantics that could be applied to all conceptual systemdesigns. Thus, the state-of-the-art was pushed forward in both systemdesign and system evaluation, but little progress was made inintegrating the two techniques except in a few highly specialized areas.

Examples of the prior art include a product developed by RationalSoftware Corporation. Rational Rose is a tool kit that simplifiessoftware design and evaluation by using the UML (Unified ModelingLanguage) to represent complex systems and Object Oriented software toevaluate them. Thus, Rational Rose is merely a tool used to assist theuser in developing Object Oriented software in the design, codegeneration, code testing, Requirements Analysis and life-cyclemaintenance phases.

Another example of prior art is a product known as BONAPARTProfessional, a tool for simulation and analysis of business processes.Customers can also use BONAPART Collaborative, an innovative Java-basedtool for Web-based Intra-/Internet collaborative work. The majority ofcustomers, both in Europe and abroad, use BONAPART in the documentationand optimization of processes and organizational structures. Companiesof all sizes use BONAPART to structure their business, measure processefficiency with regard to critical success factors, and simulate processalternatives before deciding on the optimal process for implementation.As a result, business processes are modified to be more efficient and tobetter meet customer expectations.

Another prior art program is Popkin System Architect, a comprehensiveand powerful modeling solution designed to provide all of the toolsnecessary for development of successful enterprise systems. It is theonly tool to integrate, in one multi-user product, industry-leadingsupport for all major areas of modeling, including business processmodeling, object-oriented and component modeling with UML, relationaldata modeling, and structured analysis and design. All functionality isharnessed within System Architect's extensible repository with nativesupport for Microsoft VBA.

Another example of the prior art is Design CPN—a non-commercial ColoredPetri Net design and execution tool created and distributed by theUniversity of Aarhus (Denmark)

Another example of the prior art is AllFusion ERwin Data Modeler is anindustry-leading data modeling solution that can help you create andmaintain databases, data warehouses and enterprise data models.AllFusion ERwin data models help you visualize data structures tofacilitate the organization, management and moderation of datacomplexities, database technologies and the deployment environment.Databases can be developed more quickly while dramatically improvingquality and maintainability.

Another example of the prior art is MITRE MRT—three separate tools usedfor the design, specification and execution of model architectures.

All of the prior art suffer from defects which are overcome by thepresent invention. In general, in the prior art one creates a prototypedesign (often referred to as a model architecture) using somerepresentational language. In the best case, the language is graphicalbased, has a lexicon that is unambiguous and semantics that aredescriptively rich and can be understood by machines. In the worst case,the language does not have these features.

The prototype design is then given to computer software engineers who“interpret” the design and convert it into a computer model, which thenbecomes a “model of a model”. There are many possibilities for errors,unwarranted approximations, misinterpretations and misunderstandings.Through iterative “negotiations” between those who are stakeholders inthe design and those who are stakeholders in the computer simulationmodel, a final product that approximates the prototype concept isproduced in one tool.

In almost all cases, the results of quantitative evaluation throughsimulation lead to unanswered questions, the most common of which is howthe prototype can be modified to produce better results. In fact, a setof prototype variants is usually proposed to optimize performance ormeet some identified performance goals. Each variant must be designedand converted into a computer model by a pair of separate events thatare time consuming, expensive and inefficient. There is no certaintythat all of the computer models representing the prototype variants havethe same fidelity, resolution and scope.

After variations of the prototype have been exhaustively analyzed, acandidate design is chosen. However, there is little confidence that theoptimal design has been selected, and the rush of time generallydictates the end of the process, with many questions still unanswered.

The present invention overcomes these deficiencies by creating a designusing a representational language that is powerful, universallyaccepted, easy to learn and easy to use. The resulting design is machineunderstandable.

Computer software engineers build libraries of functions to support theexecution of the prototype, but no interpretation of the design isrequired. The functions can be directly used by the prototype designersand linked into the design by them. This ensures that the intentions ofthe designers are not distorted by the software developers.

Analysts can re-configure the architecture design and the correspondingsimulation model will automatically adjust to the changes made to it.The analyst can even change a design while it is executing, making aseamless transition between two variants of the prototype. Analysis ofalternatives is quick, efficient and consistent.

Since conceptual designs are created and evaluated by subject matterexperts with only minimal intrusion by software engineers, there is ahigh level of confidence that the optimal design has been identified.The process is rapid, accurate and all variants are evaluated in thesame way with the prejudices of “interpretation”.

In addition, the prior art provides either very limited, or no abilityto investigate the dynamic properties of a model architecture throughmodel execution/simulation. The prior art also does not enforcefundamental rules of association in the design element of the tool sothat the user is constrained to create valid models. The prior art alsodoes not provide a direct method for modeling concurrency and thus havelimited usefulness in describing real-world problems.

In addition the prior art is unable to integrate a design with othersoftware elements executing remotely in a distributed-processingenvironment. The prior art has only limited support for specifyingmathematical functions and logic in high-level computer languages. Thisrestricts their usefulness in evaluating model architectures. The priorart does not provide a capability for building a hierarchical model andautomatically updating higher-level constructs directly when theirembedded components are changed. The prior art does not support the useof a relational database repository for storing pre-build entities andextended entities created for the base entities. The prior art does notallow graphical elements (pictures, icons, artwork, etc.) to be embeddedin the design to enhance visualization of the model. And, the prior artdoes not allow discrete events to be captured during the execution ofthe model so that the user can replay the execution in a step-by-stepmanner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a system and method wherein to simulate complexprocesses. In the present invention evaluation of processes is performeddynamically. A user may employ pre-defined building blocks or“user-defined” building blocks. The present invention involves graphicalmodeling (i.e. modeling in a graphical environment) in a “multi-thread”manner—not constrained to one set of parameters. The present inventioninteroperates with other tools, and may be utilized on a computer system(either stand-alone or networked environment).

In one embodiment of the present invention, the user designs a complexsystem to be modeled. The design is flexible, using buildingblocks—either user specified or pre-defined—inherent to the project. Bytheir nature the building blocks of a modeled system are flexible sothat the system can readily incorporate many different aspects (i.e.,the user is not necessarily constrained to a certain set of parametersas in the prior art). These “building block” objects may be embodied ina graphical environment for ease of use, and may be readily portable toa computer environment. Thus, unlike in the prior art, there is no needto further “model” the created model by manipulating it in a manner suchthat it can be implemented in a computer.

The building blocks of the design can be easily changed, allowing fordifferent variants of the design (or even radical departures from thedesign) to be easily incorporated into the modeled system for alternatescenario, or variant, analysis, especially when incorporated in realtime or “on the fly.”

In addition, the building blocks of the present invention are such thatthey need not be designed into a computer environment; the user mayinput functions to manipulate the operation of the building blocks, andthese functions can be designed in a way such that they are easilycreated and incorporated into the overall design scheme.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a system is modeledby first defining the entities present in the system. These entitiesinclude “places,” “place regions,” “transition regions,” “transitions,”and “arcs.” The “places” are more commonly known as the “nouns” of thepresent invention, and define system parameters. These nouns are usually“things” sought to be modeled in a system such as houses (if modeling acity), cars (if modeling traffic flow), or military equipment (ifmodeling military situations). Nouns usually contain “tokens”—individualsub-units of a noun that define, enhance, or limit the noun. Forexample, a “token” for a house in a modeled city could be a water line;a “token” for a car in a modeled traffic flow could be a gallon ofgasoline; and a “token” for a piece of military equipment in a modeledmilitary situation could be a 105 mm cannon. In addition, a token can becreated to represent smaller subsets of tokens—for example, a token“vehicle” might exist as an entity that has as its members tokens“cars,” “buses,” and “trucks.”

The “transitions” are more commonly known as “verbs” of the presentinvention, and define system events. These verbs are usually the“actions” sought to be modeled in a system such as “open” and “close” ina modeled house system, “accelerate” and “decelerate” in a modeledtraffic flow, or “fire” and “release” in a modeled military situation.

The links between nouns and verbs are known as “arcs.” Arcs define theevents that occur to nouns and their tokens based on verbs. For example,the verb “open water line” when applied to the noun house in a modeledcity would act on the token “water line” in the noun “house” with theverb “open”. And, the verb “accelerate gasoline” when applied to thenoun car in a modeled traffic flow would act on the token gallon ofgasoline in a manner such that the gasoline would be modeled as beingused when the “accelerate” verb occurs. Finally, the verb “fire 105 mmcannon” when applied to the noun military equipment in a modeledmilitary situation would result in a round of cannon ammunition beingexpended. Note that two types of arcs exist: input arcs, which removetokens from nouns; and output arcs, which receive tokens to be added tonouns.

“Place Regions” and “Transition Regions” define a larger or small subsetof places and transitions. They are containers for places, transitions,and other regions. Places and transitions operate and interact via arcs;the regions themselves are not directly involved in the interaction.Place or transition regions are used to show containment or association.A group of places or transitions may be owned by, or under the controlof, a larger entity, or the places or transitions within a region mayshare some feature that is identified by the grouping. Regions are thuslarger building blocks from which a system can be modeled.

In another embodiment of the present invention, parameters of thebuilding blocks and functions of the present invention may beinterchanged in a fast yet effective manner. Merely replacing oneblock—a noun or verb, for example—can be done seamlessly with the valuesfor the new block interacting within the model. The entire model doesnot have to be re-done when replacing a block—only that object. Thus,objects can be deleted and/or replaced; the end result (and all interimsteps) is recalculated in real-time (“on the fly”) based on newarchitecture.

As indicated, in the present invention objects are linked together.Visually, the linking is done by a graphical connection: rules aredeveloped to describe information, and rules are developed to describedata flow. These rules are applied to two or more objects to link themtogether, with the results of the rules application yielding otherobjects (as embodied by an arc relationship). These other objects may befurther operated on by other rules/links. The end result is a modeledsimulation based on objects and links. In addition, the links can bedeleted and/or replaced; end result is recalculated in real-time basedon new architecture. As indicated, a combination of objects and linkscan be deleted and/or replaced with new architecture being modeled inreal-time.

The design of the present invention operates in computer environment,including the Windows environment, utilizing Vbasic and C++ language.The computer system may be a personal computer system, eitherstand-alone or in a networked environment. An embodiment of the presentinvention is shown by the computer files listed in Appendix A (attachedhereto and provided on DISC 1) in conjunction with a computer operatingin the Microsoft Windows environment.

In the present invention the user defines all states (the buildingblocks), either by creating new objects or by using pre-defined objects.The object's individual status is defined, the types of actions that canbe applied to the object are defined, and an indicator of when a statechange of the object can occur is defined. The states are created in agraphical environment. Next, objects are linked together in a graphicalenvironment. Linking is performed using the aforementioned noun-verbsyntax. Because the system is designed to be user-friendly, graphicalicons exist, and are different, for nouns and verbs.

The design of the present invention is thus described in declarativesentences of the noun-verb format. Graphical arcs show the flow ofinformation. Data is presented in nouns (as tokens); and is operated onby verbs (representing transitions or functions). Operation on data isconditional based on values and characteristics of object. This designallows the simultaneous execution of processes (as well as independentexecution). Finally, in the design of the present invention nouns andverbs may be changed; if so the resulting process changes as well.

The simulation of the present invention is a simple matter ofestablishing an initial place for each noun (with its tokens). This“place” can be established by any means, but is usually done by apositional reference (i.e. at geographical coordinates x, y, and z. The“place” can also be established with a temporal reference. During theexecution of the simulation, pre-established functions, related to thetransition verbs, and inherently linked by arcs, related to the placenouns (and tokens), describe the simulation and its snapshot at any onepoint. For example, the Engage Treads command might be given to a tank,with the verb (engage) operating on the noun tank; more specifically, onthe tokens (treads) of the tank. By issuing this arc, a function mightbe associated with the command so as to allow the physical movement ofthe represented noun in a computer environment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES/DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an example of the creation of places using an embodiment ofthe present invention in a Windows computer environment.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the creation of these transitions using anembodiment of the present invention in a Windows computer environment.

FIG. 3 shows an example of an embodiment of the present invention withplaces and transitions existing in a graphical environment.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the creation of the starting point of arcsusing an embodiment of the present invention in a Windows computerenvironment.

FIG. 5 shows the connectivity for places with arcs.

FIG. 6 shows an air defense system with places and arcs.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the creation of threads using an embodimentof the present invention in a Windows computer environment.

FIG. 8 shows the incorporation of threads into the air defense system.

FIG. 9 shows an example of the creation of regions using an embodimentof the present invention in a Windows computer environment.

FIG. 10 shows the incorporation of regions into the air defense system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENTINVENTION

For the design of the present invention, the preferred embodiment usesHierarchical Colored Petri Nets (HCPNs). HCPNs model a system orprocess. HCPNs can be an entire system or a sub-system; a sub-system canbe used with other HCPNs systems. HCPNs define all possible states for asystem, and can be represented graphically. Hierarchical Colored PetriNets model systems by explicitly defining all the possible states for asystem and the actions that govern the changing of those states. At abase level, a system's possible states and actions provide a staticsnapshot of the system. This snapshot is in the form of the graphicalrepresentation of the system. Graphically representing a system design,however, is not the only goal or possibility with HCPNs. Systemsimulation is also a primary goal of system modeling and a key aspect tocollaborative virtual prototyping. System simulation allows for thevalidation of a system's design and an evaluation of a system'sperformance. If the graphical representation of a system design is asnapshot of the system, the simulation is a movie.

The present invention represents a modeling and simulation method andsystem utilizing places, tokens, and transitions within the noun-verbsyntax described above. In the present invention, nouns represent placeswhere information resides. For example, if an Air Defense system isbeing modeled in the present invention, a noun represents a “place” suchas an anti-aircraft battery. Nouns contain information, and thisinformation dictates system actions and/or performance. The informationis represented by tokens; each noun contains a user-defined orsystem-defined number of tokens. Tokens are defined by data types (e.g.text, integer, date, numerical value). For example: A fighter aircraftmight have tokens for anti-air missiles, air-ground missiles, and cannonrounds as data types (three separate tokens). Another token couldrepresent the data type “armaments”, and be defined by the union of thethree separate weapons data types. The definition of this data type canbe arbitrarily complex, ranging from the simple data type of an integerto an arbitrarily complex data type of other simple data types. Thevalue of the tokens contained in the place will always be within the setdefined by the data type.

The states a system may reside in are represented by a collection ofplaces in a HCPN. Individually, the places of a HCPN do not describe thestate of the system as a whole but collectively all the places as wellas the tokens they contain (the places marking) describe the state of asystem.

In a graphical representation of the present invention places arerepresented by circles and ellipses, with name and data type inside.

Each place contains a number of tokens with a value of the data type forthe place. For example, consider the place F-15 from the air defensesystem having a data type of armaments. The armaments data type isdefined as the union of Sparrow missiles, Sidewinder missiles, and 20 mmrounds. The F-15 might contain 4 tokens of Sparrow missiles, 4 tokens ofSidewinder missiles, and 940 tokens of 20 mm rounds. Initially the placewould have all the tokens; however, as threats are identified to themilitary base and the F-15 is dispatched to eliminate these threats, theF-15s would expend these tokens. The tokens that the place contains atany given time are its marking. Aggregated together all of theindividual markings of places on the HCPN at a given time comprise themarking of the HCPN and thus its state.

The marking of the place when the system is first begun is called theinitial marking. This marking is the only marking defined by thedesigner of the system. All other markings follow as a result of theTransitions of the systems changing the state of the system.

In order to develop a complete view of how a modeled and simulatedsystem operates, there must be a mechanism by which the system can movefrom one state to another as time progresses. Actions in HCPNs of thepresent invention are represented by Transitions and Arcs. Transitionsare the verbs of a system and represent the actions of a HCPN. Theyrepresent the method by which the marking of a place can be changed.Transitions change the marking of places they are connected to byremoving tokens from places and adding them to other places.

Verbs connected to nouns to operate on the data tokens contained in thenouns (for example, the verb Fire Missile could be applied to a cannonround data token (noun)) The simulation is updated based on operation ofverb on selected nouns (that is, the data token in the example abovewould be reduced by a set number of cannon rounds after the Fire Missileverb).

The rules under which Transitions fire are based upon the construct,which connects those Transitions to their places. That construct iscalled the arc (described herein).

Graphically Transitions are represented as rectangles. The name of theTransition lies inside of the rectangle.

Arcs define rules upon which verbs (transitions) operate on nouns(data). There are two types of arcs—input and output arcs. Input arcsremove tokens from nouns in which they are connected) and allow them tobe operated on by verbs. Arcs will “evaluate” the token if it iscompatible (i.e. the value can bind to a variable in the arcexpression). All variables of arc must match up to data variable fortoken “evaluation”. Arcs may also have an expression in the form of aBoolean expression that, upon application of verbs, will result in aBoolean result (e.g., TRUE).

Output arcs receive tokens on the basis of verb operations and are addedto nouns. Output arcs follow same “evaluation” rules for input arcs.

As an example, consider the following, showing how input arcs govern therules and specifics of token transfer. The Verb might be “Fire SparrowMissile”, with the Noun as an F-15 airplane. Tokens in Noun F-15 mighthave the value of data type Sparrow Missile, Sidewinder Missile, andCannon. An Input Arc of the Fire Sparrow Missile verb connects to F-15noun. The variable in the arc is “Sparrow Missile,” upon operation thetoken having the value “Sparrow Missile” (NOT the Sidewinder Missile orCannon tokens) “evaluates” to the arc. A guard expression with a BooleanTRUE analysis could also be utilized—the Verb could have a guardexpression of “armed;” only those noun/tokens that matched this guard(i.e., only those Sparrow Missiles that were armed in the F-15 noun)would be operated on. Also, Output Arcs also govern the rules andspecifics of token transfer. In this example, as a result of a Fire aSparrow Missile application to an arc with data type “undestroyedthreat”, one of the tokens in “undestroyed threat” would be destroyedand the total data value would be modified.

As another example, suppose the “Fire a Sparrow Missile” Transition hadanother input arc, this one connected to the place Enemy Threats (theTransition now has both an input arc and an output arc connected toEnemy Threats), and that this new input arc has an arc expression of thevariable threat, which is defined with the data type “undestroyedthreat”. This input arc would only evaluate to a token if there is atoken on the place Enemy Threats with the value “undestroyed threat”.The Transition “Fire a Sparrow Missile would only fire then if bothinput Arcs evaluate to tokens. If there is an undestroyed threat and theF-15 has a missile, the Transition “Fire a Sparrow Missile” would fireand destroy the threat. This movement of tokens amongst places by thefiring of Transitions is collectively called the token game.

A system may be modeled by building design entities. Basically, as onestep of building a HCPN system, the present invention defines basicproperties of entity, builds places, builds transitions, and buildsplace regions and transition regions. In defining a place, the user ofthe present invention assigns attributes—for example, a location in x,y, and z coordinates. The attributes are then defined. In defining atransition, a user assigns connections by use of arcs (connection toplaces). Connection specifics are defined with variables and ports, andlocal variables. The input/output places connects local variable oftransition to an input or output place attribute, and also definefunctions. The user also assigns names, colors, size, and other basics.

As discussed above, building system designs involves building designentities such as places and transitions. Two other design entities maybe used in the present invention—place regions and transition regions.Place and transition regions are HCPNs that contain places andtransitions but behave in a manner of places and transitions. Forexample, instead of having a place F-15, it could be a place regioncalled F-15 that contains a HCPN that models an F-15.

In the present invention, the method and system operates by thefollowing steps.

First, the basic properties of an entity (place, place region,transition, and transition region) are defined. The entity is named;since entities may be reusable in the present invention, this nameshould be the most generic name applicable to the entity. For example,one might create a place named city. A system designer might then createa HCPN modeling traffic flow that utilizes a number of the city places.These cities might have more specific names such as Houston, Dallas, andAustin.

If the entity is a place, the next step is to define the base places ofthe new place. The present invention contains the framework for creatingexecutable HCPNs. One of the requirements for executable system designsis the full specification of the entities; i.e. identifying attributeswith values. Some places will share many of the same attributes. Forinstance a place called F-15 and a place called Tank will both containthe attributes of x, y, and z position vectors. The present inventionalso incorporates the concept of inheritance from the object orientedworld to facilitate place development. This is achieved through the useof base places. A new place will inherit all the attributes and theirinitial values from base places defined for it. Thus, the place F-15would inherit the position vector attributes if the base place MovementModel (which has these attributes defined for it) is defined for it. Theplace F-15A would include all the attributes of F-15 if the entity F-15was defined as a base place for F-15A. In addition, the attributes of anew place must be defined. A place's attributes are quantitativedescriptions of the tokens that reside at the place. A place inheritsall the attributes of its base places.

If the entity is a transition, the connectivity of the transition (viaarcs) must be defined, with the places to which the transition connectsspecified. The connectivity of a transition is specified with localvariables and ports. Local variables in the transition connect to placeattributes in the input and output places of the transition. Theconnection is specified through the ports of the transitions. Theselocal variables can then be acted upon by functions within thetransition to change attributes of output places.

Specifying a transition's connectivity begins with defining the localvariables; once the local variables of a transition have been created,the ports that connect them to attributes of the input and output placesneed to be created. Input ports connect to place attributes in inputplaces, output ports connect to attributes in output places.

Functions of the transition change the attribute values of output placesfor the transition and affect the state of the system. Functions do thisby combining the input place attributes in a function and setting anoutput variable based upon it. Functions require the output port and theequation. The output port defines which place attribute the functionsets. The equation of the function specifies how the function combineslocal variables of the transition. Thus, a function could be of the formoutput port=local variable1 * local variable2.

All new entities (places, transitions, place and transition regions) canhave an icon associated with them. Icons assist in the graphicalrepresentation of the HCPN. They allow a viewer to quickly associate anentity with a real-life icon that represents the entity. Icons have noimpact on the execution of an HCPN, and are a graphical representationof portions of the present invention.

The following is an example of the present invention operating in aWindows computer environment used to model a military base's air defensesystem. This military base has two primary means of defending itself, asquadron of F-15s and a ground battery of anti-aircraft missiles. It hasa ground based radar and an airborne AWACS plane scanning the skies forpotential threats. In attempting to model this system, we first considerthe places (nouns) of the system. At first glance there are four nounsrelating to the base (F-15, Anti-aircraft missiles, ground based radar,and AWACS plane) and two relating to the enemy (Enemy planes and anEnemy Air Base). The first task is to create a project for and thenbuild these places as design entities.

Since other bases are expected to design air defense systems usingHCPNs, a project is created—in the computer program embodiment of thepresent invention, by project for air defense by accessing File >>Choose Project and pressing the “New” button.

Next, air defense places are built. Six such places may be built in thisexample: F-15, Anti-aircraft missile, Ground Based Radar, AWACS plane,Enemy Planes, and Enemy Air Base. These places are assigned to the airdefense project created above and saved as a new system design. Anexample of the creation of these places using the present invention in aWindows computer environment is shown in FIG. 1.

Next, the air defense transitions are built. The following transitionsmay be built in this example: Enemy Planes Attack (this will representenemy planes taking off from the enemy air base and attacking thefriendly air base), Identify enemy on AWACS radar, Identify enemy onGround Based Radar, Share Target Information over Integrated BattleNetwork, Attack enemy from Anti-aircraft missiles, Attack enemy fromF-15. After creating these transitions (associating them with theproject Air Defense) they are placed in the system design. An example ofthe creation of these transitions using the present invention in aWindows computer environment is shown in FIG. 2.

When done, the model of places and transitions can exist in a graphicalenvironment as shown in FIG. 3.

The next step in developing the military base air defense system designis to link the places and the transitions using arcs. For an arc, astarting link and ending link (of either transitions or places) must bespecified. Transitions may not arc to transitions and places may not arcto places. Places may only be connected to transitions that have themdefined as an input or output place. These definitions are establishedwhile creating or editing a transition. In the present exampleconnectivity definition can not take place for specific instances oftransitions. Therefore if transitions with inappropriate connectivitydefinition are instantiated in a system design, the transitions must beedited and reinserted into the system design. An example of the creationof the starting point of these arcs using the present invention in aWindows computer environment is shown in FIG. 4. The connectivity forall places with arcs is defined as shown in FIG. 5. An embodiment of anair defense system with places and arcs is shown in FIG. 6.

Next, threads for the system design are established. Threads provide away to identify and recognize separate processes in a HCPN. For example,in the air defense system design an air response thread and a groundresponse thread could be identified. The air response thread wouldinclude the AWACS plane, the F-15 and the associated transitions. Theground response thread would include the ground based radar, theanti-aircraft missile battery and the associated Transitions.Identifying these threads in the system design allows the identificationof critical places and Transitions used by multiple threads. Once thethread has been created it must be applied to the system design. Threadsare added to arcs. An example of the creation of threads using thepresent invention in a Windows computer environment is shown in FIG. 7.The incorporation of threads into the air defense system of the presentembodiment is shown in FIG. 8.

The system can also utilize place region and transition region entities.Region definition must occur with the entities themselves, not withspecific instances of regions. Once the appropriate places andtransitions have been identified for combination in a region, a regionshould be created and the places and transitions to be contained definedwithin it.

Thus, a system can be modified to use a place region to replace thetransition Enemy Planes Attack and the places Enemy Planes and EnemyBase. Arcs must also be defined and connected to the place region.Similarly, a design can be modified by replacing the Share targetinformation transition with a transition region.

An example of the creation of regions using the present invention in aWindows computer environment is shown in FIG. 9. The incorporation ofregions into the air defense system of the present embodiment is shownin FIG. 10.

Design entities (places and transitions) and regions can be modified intwo different ways: changing the entity or regions themselves orchanging specific instances of the entity or region. Entities andregions are stored in the database. They exist outside of and apart fromany system design. Specific instances of entities and regions exist onlyin the context of a specific HCPN. Specific instances of entities andregions are built from the entities and regions stored in the database.If no projects are selected for, modelers will be able to created systemdesigns using generic places, transitions, and regions. These genericentities are not built from entities stored in the database and designsconstructed from them can not be simulated.

In addition, the embodiment of the present invention running in apersonal computer environment might utilize a Design Blueprint andDesign Navigator to model and simulate a process. Running in a computerprogram, a user seeks to construct a system design of an air defensesystem. To begin that process, the user builds the entities and regionsfrom which the air defense HCPN will be built. Those entities andregions are built and stored in a database. One of those instances mightinclude a place named F-15. When the air defense system design is beingconstructed, several of the F-15 places may be added (e.g. CaptainBaker's and Lieutenant Wright's) to the HCPN. Each F-15 in the model isa specific instance of the place F-15. Thus, while Captain Baker's andLieutenant Wright's F-15s will have the same attributes, thoseattributes will likely contain different values (e.g. their x, y, and zposition coordinates). Modifying the properties for specific instancesof entities will only affect that specific instance of the entity.Modifying the properties of the entity in the database will change thedefault properties for all specific entities instantiated from thatentity in the future.

For the place entity, the following components exist in an exemplaryembodiment.

Places are represented by ellipses in the Design Blueprint.

The properties of a place may be accessed by editing the place. To edita place in the computer environment, the user selects File >> Open,selects Entity from the Functions dialogue, then selects the appropriateentity to edit from the Choose Entity dialogue and presses the Continuebutton. The properties of the place can be edited by right clicking onthe place in the

Design Blueprint or Design Navigator: The properties of a specificinstance of a place may be accessed by right clicking on the place inthe Design Blueprint or Design Navigator in a system design containinginstances of the place. The properties dialogue contains a tab for thefollowing groups of properties: Entity, Base places, Attributes, Icon,Name, Color, and Size.

General settings for the entity are created. The Entity Type field hasthe value place, representing that the selected entity is a place. TheEntity Name field contains the place's generic name. This field is notmodifiable for specific instances of entities. The projects the entityis assigned to are listed to the right. All projects are listed.Entities can be added and removed from projects by adjusting thecheckbox next to the project appropriately. The projects to which aspecific entity belongs can not be modified individually. Only projectsthe entity belongs to are listed.

Base places provide an inheritance mechanism for model development.Places inherit the attributes of their base places. For instance if thebase place vehicle contains the attributes x, y and z (positioncoordinates). All places that list vehicle as a base place will containthose same attributes. Additionally, transition connectivity is passedon from base place to inheriting place. For instance if the transitionmove allows an input and an output connection to the place vehicle, thenthe place tank, which inherits from the base place vehicle will also beable to form an input and output connection to the transition move. Allplaces may serve as base places for other places.

In the present embodiment, the entities available to be base places forthe place appear to the user; new base places are added by selectingthem, and base places can be removed from a place.

Attributes give definition to places. A user might enumerate thecharacteristics of places with attributes. For example, the place tankmight have the attributes fuel level, ammunition available, and thelike. The name, type, initial value, minimum and maximum values for theattributes of the place can be selected, as well as attributes inheritedfrom base places. Attributes can be added or deleted, and the name,value, minimum, and maximum value of attributes can be edited.

The icon that represents the place in a HCPN can be modified. Thespecific name of the entity can be modified. The specific name providesa way to differentiate between multiple instances of the same entity ina system design. In the design blueprint window, the name format for anentity is <generic name: specific name>. Modifying the specific name foran entity changes the default specific name for newly instantiatedentities. The specific name, text alignment, font, formatting, color,size, and other physical properties can also be edited and modified.

For the place region entity, the following components exist in theexemplary embodiment.

Place regions are represented in the Design Window by a box (container)with an ellipse in the upper left corner.

The properties of a place region may be created and/or modified by thefollowing groups or properties: entity, icon, name, color, and size. TheEntity Type field has the value place Region, representing that theselected entity is a place region. The Entity Name field contains theplace region's generic name. This field is modifiable for genericentities. The icon that represents the place in a graphical HCPN can bemodified. The specific name of the entity can be modified from the Nametab. The specific name provides a way to differentiate between multiplecopies of the same entity in a system design. In the design blueprintwindow, the name format for an entity is <generic name: specific name>.Modifying the specific name for a generic entity changes the defaultspecific name for newly instantiated entities. Finally, the color andsize of the place region may be created and/or modified.

For the transition entity, the following components exist in theexemplary embodiment.

Transitions are represented by rectangles in the Design Window.

The properties of a Transition may be accessed by a user manipulatingthe Design Blueprint or Design Navigator. This will cause the PropertiesWindow to appear. The properties window contains a tab for the followinggroups of properties: Entity, Connectivity, Local Variables,Input-Output Connections, Functions, Icon, Name, Color, Size, andAttributes.

The Entity Type field has the value Transition, representing that theselected entity is a transition. The Entity Name field contains thetransition's generic name. The projects the entity is assigned to appearon can be listed.

Transitions connect to places via arcs. The places that a transition canconnect to are defined when the entity is created. The connectivity of atransition is technically specified with local variables and ports.Local variables in the transition connect to place attributes in theinput and output places of the transition. The connection is specifiedthrough the ports of the transitions. These local variables can then beacted upon by functions within the transition to change attributes ofoutput places. Specifying a transition's connectivity begins withdefining the local variables. Once the local variables of a transitionhave been created, the ports that connect them to attributes of theinput and output places need to be created. Port generation occurs bythe user manipulating the program so as to set the attributes; Inputports connect to place attributes in input places, output ports connectto attributes in output places.

Functions of the transition change the attribute values of output placesfor the transition and affect the state of the system. They do this bycombining the input place attributes in a function and setting an outputvariable based upon it. New functions require two pieces of information,the output port and the equation. The output port defines which placeattribute the function sets. The equation of the function specifies howthe function combines local variables of the transition.

The icon, name, color, size, and other physical representationcharacteristics can also be created and modified by the user.

For the transition region entity, the following components exist in anexemplary embodiment.

Transition Regions are represented in the Design Window by a box(container) with a rectangle in the upper left corner.

The properties of a place region may be created and/or modified by thefollowing groups or properties: entity, icon, name, color, and size. TheEntity Type field has the value Transition Region, representing that theselected entity is a transition region. The Entity Name field containsthe transition region's generic name. This field is modifiable forgeneric entities. The icon that represents the transition in a graphicalHCPN can be modified. The specific name of the entity can be modifiedfrom the Name tab. The specific name provides a way to differentiatebetween multiple copies of the same entity in a system design. In thedesign blueprint window, the name format for an entity is <generic name:specific name>. Modifying the specific name for a generic entity changesthe default specific name for newly instantiated entities. Finally, thecolor and size of the transition region may be created and/or modified.

For the process entity, the following components exist in the exemplaryembodiment.

The structure of the process entity is the arc; arcs are represented byarrows in the Design Window. An arc's properties include its colorthreads, and attributes, all of which may be created and modified by theuser.

The above example is but one embodiment of the present invention,operating on a personal computer, to build and simulate a complexaccording to the present invention.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, many changes in theapparatus and methods described above may be made by the skilledpractitioner without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. APPENDIX A The format is as follows: FILE NAME Creation Dateand Time Size (kb) AnimationView.cpp 5,354 05/22/2003 7:36 pmAnimationView.h 2,064 03/06/2003 11:56 pm Arc.h 3,605 09/09/2003 8:07 pmArcTool.cpp 5,032 09/29/2003 6:09 pm ArcTool.h 969 12/05/2002 7:37 pmAttribute.cpp 2,409 10/21/2003 8:42 pm Attribute.h 915 09/10/2003 2:28am AttributeDoc.cpp 12,528 09/28/2003 9:37 pm AttributeDoc.h 2,39609/24/2003 8:39 pm AttributeMap.cpp 8,150 10/21/2003 8:42 pmAttributeMap.h 1,899 09/10/2003 2:28 am AttributePage.cpp 18,15610/20/2003 4:53 pm AttributePage.h 2,026 07/22/2003 1:50 amAttrToPort.cpp 3,167 03/10/2003 5:58 pm AttrToPort.h 1,465 12/02/20027:00 pm BaseEntityPage.cpp 13,714 01/03/2003 12:39 am BaseEntityPage.h2,200 12/24/2002 5:49 pm BaseObject.cpp 0 10/26/2003 1:41 amBaseObject.h 4,778 09/16/2003 3:54 pm BasePlacesList.cpp 3,59007/21/2003 10:11 pm BasePlacesList.h 1,179 07/21/2003 10:11 pmBreakpoint.cpp 2,427 09/10/2003 2:28 am Breakpoint.h 1,042 09/10/20032:28 am BreakpointManager.cpp 9,025 09/10/2003 2:28 amBreakpointManager.h 2,044 09/10/2003 2:28 am BreakpointsList.cpp 19,64810/20/2003 4:53 pm BreakpointsList.h 1,537 09/10/2003 2:28 amChildFrm.cpp 2,412 07/22/2003 3:07 am ChildFrm.h 1,608 05/28/2003 4:22pm ColorComboBox.cpp 4,259 01/24/2002 3:28 pm ColorComboBox.h 1,29112/18/2001 3:27 am ColorPage.cpp 3,697 12/20/2002 10:31 pm ColorPage.h1,627 11/19/2002 3:13 am ConnectionsPage.cpp 3,316 09/30/2003 6:32 pmConnectionsPage.h 1,305 02/02/2003 10:41 pm ConnectionsRecord.cpp 99601/03/2003 3:51 am ConnectionsRecord.h 822 01/03/2003 3:48 amConnectionsSet.cpp 5,574 08/25/2003 10:00 pm ConnectionsSet.h 1,63703/19/2003 1:12 am Convert.cpp 21,092 08/12/2003 9:36 pm Convert.h 2,29504/26/2002 5:15 pm DBWrapper.cpp 29,481 08/12/2003 9:36 pm DBWrapper.h4,402 06/05/2003 12:37 am DEdit.cpp 21,461 08/24/2003 7:17 pm DEdit.h2,956 09/10/2003 2:28 am DEditDBDoc.cpp 9,092 09/30/2003 6:36 pmDEditDBDoc.h 1,726 09/30/2003 6:36 pm DEditDoc.cpp 42,540 10/21/200312:28 am DEditDoc.h 6,054 10/20/2003 4:53 pm DEditListCtrl.cpp 12,68807/30/2003 8:30 pm DEditListCtrl.h 2,876 07/30/2003 8:30 pm DEditRes.cpp12,328 07/31/2003 9:17 pm DEditRes.h 2,791 11/11/2002 11:17 pmDEditView.cpp 49,252 09/30/2003 2:27 am DEditView.h 6,200 09/10/20032:29 am DesignView.cpp 27,242 09/30/2003 2:27 am DesignView.h 2,54005/28/2003 6:02 pm Entity.cpp 1,312 06/26/2003 5:22 pm Entity.h 77211/20/2002 1:14 am EntityPage.cpp 8,543 09/24/2003 10:25 pm EntityPage.h1,758 08/11/2003 6:33 pm Equation.cpp 13,407 10/22/2003 7:30 pmEquation.h 1,981 09/26/2003 11:16 pm ExecutionThread.h 1,984 10/01/20031:06 am ExecutionToolBar.cpp 6,873 09/29/2003 4:06 pm ExecutionToolBar.h1,742 09/17/2003 5:49 pm ExecutionWnd.cpp 1,310 10/20/2003 4:53 pmExecutionWnd.h 1,359 09/29/2003 11:43 pm ExtProcessPage.cpp 7,06009/26/2003 8:53 pm ExtProcessPage.h 1,715 09/26/2003 8:39 pmFinishPage.cpp 1,948 06/24/2003 7:52 am FinishPage.h 1,406 05/01/20036:59 pm Function.cpp 20,396 10/21/2003 8:42 pm Function.h 3,33409/26/2003 11:20 pm FunctionArray.cpp 2,182 10/21/2003 8:42 pmFunctionArray.h 1,012 10/21/2003 8:42 pm FunctionPage.cpp 19,25410/21/2003 8:42 pm FunctionPage.h 2,307 10/21/2003 8:42 pmFunctionsMap.cpp 2,130 07/21/2003 1:36 am FunctionsMap.h 895 07/21/20031:36 am GlobalFunctions.cpp 474 09/30/2003 6:22 pm GlobalFunctions.h1,124 09/10/2003 2:29 am Icon.cpp 1,944 06/27/2003 6:12 pm Icon.h 96206/27/2003 6:12 pm IconPage.cpp 3,975 02/13/2003 7:32 pm IconPage.h1,524 11/19/2002 3:11 am IconsArray.cpp 4,714 03/24/2003 8:10 pmIconsArray.h 1,195 11/11/2002 9:12 pm IconsMenu.cpp 5,140 07/31/200210:25 pm IconsMenu.h 1,029 05/22/2002 7:21 pm InObjCombo.cpp 1,47407/30/2003 8:29 pm InObjCombo.h 1,273 05/06/2003 11:01 pm InObjREdit.cpp6,173 07/30/2003 8:37 pm InObjREdit.h 1,575 07/27/2003 8:52 pmLeftView.cpp 24,901 07/22/2003 1:50 am LeftView.h 4,065 07/22/2003 1:50am MainFrm.cpp 21,697 09/28/2003 11:25 pm MainFrm.h 3,180 09/28/200310:55 pm NewOpen.cpp 1,660 06/23/2003 12:38 am NewOpen.h 1,29211/20/2002 6:12 pm ParentList.cpp 2,564 07/22/2003 1:50 am ParentList.h913 07/22/2003 1:50 am Place.h 1,889 09/16/2003 3:54 pm PlaceReg.cpp4,839 07/08/2003 9:21 pm PlaceReg.h 1,162 06/27/2003 12:56 amPlaceRegTool.cpp 987 07/12/2002 8:12 pm PlaceRegTool.h 740 07/04/20028:56 pm PlaceTool.cpp 789 05/08/2002 11:26 pm PlaceTool.h 658 06/13/20017:28 pm portal.cpp 1,057 08/25/2003 9:29 pm PortDefPage.cpp 21,55410/20/2003 4:53 pm PortDefPage.h 2,041 06/24/2003 7:50 amProjectEntityDlg.cpp 33,009 07/27/2003 8:52 pm ProjectEntityDlg.h 4,09507/07/2003 6:25 pm Properties.cpp 2,630 06/25/2003 7:46 pm Properties.h3,239 08/11/2003 9:42 pm Region.h 3,584 09/16/2003 3:54 pm resource.h12,838 10/08/2003 4:41 am Select.cpp 666 05/17/2002 1:28 am Select.h 61405/17/2002 1:29 am SelectTool.cpp 13,032 09/26/2003 9:22 pm SelectTool.h1,340 07/25/2003 11:55 pm ShowEntitiesDlg.cpp 23,614 09/26/2003 10:59 pmShowEntitiesDlg.h 3,913 09/26/2003 10:12 pm SizePage.cpp 5,09206/23/2003 5:22 pm SizePage.h 1,669 11/19/2002 3:11 am StdAfx.cpp 20102/06/2002 1:29 am StdAfx.h 3,742 09/30/2003 7:16 pm TextPage.cpp 7,09706/25/2003 8:03 pm TextPage.h 1,659 06/25/2003 8:03 pm Thread.cpp 3,44206/25/2003 8:14 pm Thread.h 1,061 06/16/2003 7:43 pm ThreadPage.cpp2,659 02/06/2003 9:49 pm ThreadPage.h 1,397 11/19/2002 2:57 amThreadTool.cpp 2,697 03/27/2003 5:37 am ThreadTool.h 934 07/19/2002 2:41am Tools.cpp 5,049 07/25/2003 11:55 pm Tools.h 1,533 07/25/2003 11:55 pmTransition.h 1,779 10/22/2003 5:41 pm TransitionExt.h 1,198 10/20/20034:53 pm TransitionReg.cpp 3,686 07/08/2003 9:21 pm TransitionReg.h 1,07006/27/2003 6:33 pm TransitionRegTool.cpp 1,057 05/08/2002 11:31 pmTransitionRegTool.h 785 06/13/2001 7:28 pm TransitionTool.cpp 85205/08/2002 11:31 pm TransitionTool.h 705 12/18/2001 3:34 amVariablePage.cpp 16,785 10/20/2003 4:53 pm VariablePage.h 2,09807/22/2003 1:50 am Vertex.h 2,181 09/16/2003 3:54 pm VSODIgBar.cpp10,939 07/22/2003 2:38 am VSODIgBar.h 2,253 07/22/2003 1:50 amVSODIIsManager.cpp 20,669 09/21/2003 8:33 pm VSODIIsManager.h 2,78805/07/2003 8:02 pm VSOToolTips.cpp 2,167 04/27/2003 7:21 pmVSOToolTips.h 1,369 04/27/2003 7:21 pm VSOXml.cpp 38,773 07/28/2003 5:22pm VSOXml.h 2,163 07/28/2003 5:28 pm Warning.cpp 1,295 12/18/2001 4:18pm Warning.h 1,232 10/06/2001 4:34 pm WatchView.cpp 17,998 09/30/20032:27 am WatchView.h 2,648 09/10/2003 2:29 am WinRegistry.cpp 2,14504/22/2003 8:29 pm WinRegistry.h 848 04/22/2003 8:29 pm ZoomTool.cpp3,003 07/30/2002 6:14 pm ZoomTool.h 749 05/08/2002 7:39 pm AfxCore.rtf111,556 07/04/2002 8:11 pm AfxPrint.rtf 11,363 06/21/2002 2:48 amAppExit.bmp 2,262 06/21/2002 2:48 am Bullet.bmp 142 06/21/2002 2:48 amCurArw2.bmp 310 06/21/2002 2:48 am CurArw4.bmp 566 06/21/2002 2:48 amCurHelp.bmp 502 06/21/2002 2:48 am DEdit.hpj 2,368 07/04/2002 8:17 pmEditCopy.bmp 502 06/21/2002 2:48 am EditCut.bmp 502 06/21/2002 2:48 amEditPast.bmp 502 06/21/2002 2:48 am EditUndo.bmp 502 06/21/2002 2:48 amFileNew.bmp 566 06/21/2002 2:48 am FileOpen.bmp 566 06/21/2002 2:48 amFilePrnt.bmp 502 06/21/2002 2:48 am FileSave.bmp 502 06/21/2002 2:48 amHlpSBar.bmp 7,158 06/21/2002 2:48 am HlpTBar.bmp 2,354 06/21/2002 2:48am RecFirst.bmp 502 06/21/2002 2:48 am RecLast.bmp 502 06/21/2002 2:48am RecNext.bmp 502 06/21/2002 2:48 am RecPrev.bmp 502 06/21/2002 2:48 amScmax.bmp 502 06/21/2002 2:48 am ScMenu.bmp 2,134 06/21/2002 2:48 amScmin.bmp 502 06/21/2002 2:48 am VSO.hm 4,451 10/08/2003 6:16 pmVSOD.cnt 1,436 07/04/2002 8:11 pm VSOD.GID 10,866 07/17/2002 6:51 pmVSOD.HLP 33,402 10/08/2003 6:16 pm VSOD.hm 3,765 06/23/2003 6:06 pmVSOD.hpj 2,473 06/05/2003 12:38 am VSOD.LOG 6,965 10/08/2003 6:16 pmVSOD.ph 2,943 06/21/2002 2:53 am vssver.scc 528 07/04/2002 8:11 pmactual.bmp 246 10/29/2002 9:29 pm arc.cur 326 04/17/2001 6:45 am arc.ico1,078 07/25/2001 9:34 pm arc1.cur 326 10/18/2001 6:55 pm arc2.cur 32610/18/2001 6:55 pm bottom.ico 1,078 05/29/2001 8:37 pm cdicon.ico 1,07812/02/2001 11:39 pm center.bmp 246 02/21/2002 5:49 pm center.cur 32602/21/2002 5:58 pm DEdit.ico 1,078 12/10/2001 7:51 pm DEdit.rc2 39704/12/2001 8:42 pm DEditDoc.ico 9,822 02/23/2003 4:50 pm empty.bmp 24608/13/2001 9:22 pm ExecPause.ico 306 07/28/2003 8:05 pm ExecStart.ico306 07/28/2003 8:05 pm ExecStop.ico 306 07/28/2003 8:05 pm Execution.bmp1,198 09/25/2003 5:16 pm gripper.ico 766 06/12/2003 5:43 pm hcenter.ico1,078 07/18/2001 6:07 pm layout.bmp 238 02/21/2002 6:00 pm left.ico1,078 05/29/2001 8:37 pm minus.bmp 246 02/21/2002 5:49 pm minus.cur 32602/21/2002 5:51 pm place.bmp 1,334 08/13/2001 5:15 pm place.cur 32610/18/2001 6:55 pm place.ico 1,078 05/15/2001 6:07 am placeblu.ico 1,07804/17/2002 8:37 am placebluered.ico 1,078 04/18/2002 4:20 amplacereg.bmp 1,334 08/13/2001 5:22 pm placereg.cur 326 10/18/2001 6:55pm placereg.ico 1,078 06/25/2001 3:16 am placeregblue.ico 1,07804/17/2002 8:37 am placeregbluered.ico 1,078 04/18/2002 10:50 amplus.bmp 246 02/21/2002 5:49 pm plus.cur 326 02/21/2002 5:51 pm pred.ico1,078 07/19/2001 1:40 am pregred.ico 1,078 07/18/2001 6:11 pm right.ico1,078 05/29/2001 8:37 pm 10/18/2001 6:55 pm stopped.ico 1,078 01/02/20037:40 pm thread.bmp 246 08/14/2001 4:09 am thread.cur 326 10/18/2001 6:55pm thread.ico 1,078 08/04/2001 6:01 pm Toolbar.bmp 1,438 10/22/2001 4:23pm tools.bmp 958 02/27/2003 10:47 pm top.ico 1,078 05/29/2001 8:37 pmTranReg.ico 1,078 06/25/2001 3:16 am transiti.bmp 1,334 08/13/2001 5:15pm transiti.ico 1,078 05/15/2001 6:07 am transition.cur 326 10/18/20016:55 pm transitionblue.ico 1,078 04/17/2002 8:32 amtransitionbluered.ico 1,078 04/18/2002 10:50 am TRANSITIONREG.cur 32610/18/2001 6:55 pm transitionregblue.ico 1,078 04/17/2002 8:37 amtransreg.bmp 1,334 08/13/2001 5:23 pm transregbluered.ico 1,07804/18/2002 10:50 am tred.ico 1,078 07/18/2001 6:10 pm tregred.ico 1,07807/18/2001 6:11 pm vcenter.ico 1,078 05/29/2001 8:37 pm vssver.scc 1,10409/25/2003 5:16 pm win.bmp 246 02/21/2002 5:58 pm win.cur 326 02/21/20025:58 pm zoomall.bmp 246 03/08/2002 5:43 pm

1. A method for creating a complex process model of defined entities ina graphical environment comprising the steps of: defining a placecomprising data types; and defining a transition comprising actions;wherein the connectivity of said place and said transition exists as anarc, and wherein said place, said transition, or said connectivity canbe interchanged.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said place comprisesa plurality of places to define a place region.
 3. The method of claim1, wherein said transition comprises a plurality of transitions todefine a transition region.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein said arcconstitutes an input arc.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein said arcconstitutes an output arc.
 6. A method for simulating a complex processin an graphical environment comprising the steps of: defining entities,wherein said entities are selected from the group of a place comprisingdata types and a transition comprising actions; defining an arc toconnect said places and transitions; identifying the attributes of saiddefined entities of places and transitions; identifying the values ofsaid defined entities of places and transitions; identifying theparameters of said arcs to connect said places and said transitions; andmanipulating said entities on the basis of said attributes, values, andparameters; and wherein said places, said transitions, or said arcs canbe interchanged.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein said entities includeplace regions constituting a plurality of places, and transition regionsconstituting a plurality of transitions.
 8. The method of claim 6,wherein said arcs constitute input arcs.
 9. The method of claim 6,wherein said arcs constitute output arcs.
 10. A computer deviceincluding a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and a programstored in the memory, wherein the computer is configured to execute theprogram to create a complex process model of defined entities in agraphical environment, and perform the steps of: defining a placecomprising data types; and defining a transition comprising actions;wherein the connectivity of said place and said transition exists as anarc, and wherein said place, said transition, or said connectivity canbe interchanged.
 11. The computer device of claim 10, wherein said placecomprises a plurality of places to define a place region.
 12. Thecomputer device of claim 10, wherein said transition comprises aplurality of transitions to define a transition region.
 13. The computerdevice of claim 10, wherein said arc constitutes an input arc.
 14. Thecomputer device of claim 10, wherein said arc constitutes an output arc.15. A computer device including a processor, a memory coupled to theprocessor, and a program stored in the memory, wherein the computer isconfigured to execute the program to simulate a complex process in agraphical environment, and perform the steps of: defining entities,wherein said entities are selected from the group of a place comprisingdata types and a transition comprising actions; defining an arc toconnect said places and transitions; identifying the attributes of saiddefined entities of places and transitions; identifying the values ofsaid defined entities of places and transitions; identifying theparameters of said arcs to connect said places and said transitions; andmanipulating said entities on the basis of said attributes, values, andparameters; and wherein said places, said transitions, or said arcs canbe interchanged.
 16. The computer device of claim 15, wherein saidentities include place regions constituting a plurality of places, andtransition regions constituting a plurality of transitions.
 17. Thecomputer device of claim 15, wherein said arcs constitute input arcs.18. The computer device of claim 15, wherein said arcs constitute outputarcs.
 19. A computer readable storage medium having stored thereon aprogram executable by a computer processor to execute the program tocreate a complex process model of defined entities in a graphicalenvironment, to perform the steps of: defining a place comprising datatypes; and defining a transition comprising actions; wherein theconnectivity of said place and said transition exists as an arc, andwherein said place, said transition, or said connectivity can beinterchanged.
 20. The storage medium of claim 19, wherein said placecomprises a plurality of places to define a place region.
 21. Thestorage medium of claim 19, wherein said transition comprises aplurality of transitions to define a transition region.
 22. The storagemedium of claim 19, wherein said arc constitutes an input arc.
 23. Thestorage medium of claim 19, wherein said arc constitutes an output arc.24. A computer readable storage medium having stored thereon a programexecutable by a computer processor to execute the program to simulate acomplex process in a graphical environment, to perform the steps of:defining entities, wherein said entities are selected from the group ofa place comprising data types and a transition comprising actions;defining an arc to connect said places and transitions; identifying theattributes of said defined entities of places and transitions;identifying the values of said defined entities of places andtransitions; identifying the parameters of said arcs to connect saidplaces and said transitions; and manipulating said entities on the basisof said attributes, values, and parameters; and wherein said places,said transitions, or said arcs can be interchanged.
 25. The storagemedium of claim 24, wherein said entities include place regionsconstituting a plurality of places, and transition regions constitutinga plurality of transitions.
 26. The storage medium of claim 24, whereinsaid arcs constitute input arcs.
 27. The storage medium of claim 24,wherein said arcs constitute output arcs.